Alumni Spotlight: Scott (LCC ’83) and Connie (LCC) Payne

My
father, Allen Payne, has been a faithful attendee of the Logan County Men’s Meetings
for over five decades. Back in the ‘60’s, he was a part of this group of men who
dedicated many hours to build what is now known as The Warehouse, situated in
the center of Lincoln Christian University’s campus. I was just a young five-year
old boy at the time, helping out by carrying bricks and fetching tools for the
masons during the construction. This had a lasting impact on my young life, and
helped to solidify an early love for what was then called Lincoln Bible Institute.

Later,
in 1977, when I drove away from my home in San Jose, Illinois, for the 23-mile
trip to the campus of Lincoln Christian College [same institution, new name], I
had no idea how that short drive would transform my life forever. I was familiar with the campus, the layout, the
process, and the purpose of the college, but I had no idea how it would affect
my spirit and my soul. I was challenged to think beyond the religious clichés
that were a part of my early Christian life, and encouraged to move toward
deeper understandings.

I
was one of those students who “crammed” a four-year degree into five years, and
have to admit those five years were not the easiest of my life. For that, I am
eternally grateful. Growth often hurts. Yet when our Heavenly Father matures us
into the persons He wants us to be and moves us in the directions He wants us
to go, it’s worth the hardship.

I
never wanted, or planned, to work with the homeless. It wasn’t on my radar as a
young man in ministry, but God had a different plan for my life. Now, after 20
years of working with the homeless at Inner City Mission in Springfield,
Illinois, I can say without a doubt, it’s been a perfect fit. Connie, my wife
of 32 years (and the first girl I met at LCC) agrees with me, and feels we’ve
been truly blessed in working with the homeless. We wouldn’t change a thing.

It
seems like only yesterday that I walked into my first class at Lincoln
Christian and began a journey that has taken my wife and me beyond our furthest
dreams. And for that, I am honored to be an alumnus of Lincoln Christian
University. The foundations of my Biblical world view, and solid Christian
principles, were laid during my time at this godly institution, and my wife and
I have had the privilege to take what we’ve learned to some of the most
destitute people in central Illinois.

Our
hope and prayer as we work with the homeless is that the Kingdom of God will
continually advance as souls are being added. But praise God, we’ve been given
the necessary tools to follow God’s will in ministry! I’ll always be grateful for
that short 23-mile trip from my hometown of San Jose to Lincoln, a trip that
would change my life forever.